She was a fierce advocate for the environment, a champion of women’s rights, and an influential writer. Marjory Stoneman Douglas left an indelible mark on American history through her tireless efforts to protect the Florida Everglades. But who was this trailblazing environmentalist? In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at her life and legacy, exploring the many ways in which she helped shape our understanding of conservation and activism. Join us as we pay tribute to one of America’s most inspiring figures!
Who was Marjory Stoneman Douglas?
Marjory Stoneman Douglas was a pioneer in the field of environmentalism, and her work helped to shape the way that we view our environment today. Douglas was born in 1892 in Chicago, Illinois, and as a child she showed an interest in nature. After graduating from high school, Douglas studied at the University of Wisconsin – Madison where she developed her love for natural sciences.
Douglas first became involved with environmental activism while attending graduate school at Columbia University in New York City. There, she founded the student group Earth First! In 1962, Douglas published her book The Environment: A Human Perspective which laid out her beliefs about the link between human activity and environmental damage.
After earning her doctorate in zoology from Columbia, Douglas joined the faculty of Florida State University where she continued to work on issues related to the environment. Douglas died on February 14th, 1998 after a long battle with lung cancer. She was 92 years old at the time of her death.
What were her accomplishments?
In the early 20th century, Marjory Stoneman Douglas was a trailblazing environmentalist. She fought tirelessly to protect natural resources and the environment from exploitation. Douglas was also a vocal advocate for women’s rights and women’s education. Her work helped to make the world a better place for all people.
What kind of environmental work did she do?
Marjory Stoneman Douglas was a trailblazing environmentalist who fought for the protection of nature and the environment. She was a leader in the fight to clean up Florida’s Everglades, and she helped create the National Wildlife Refuge System. Douglas also helped to promote education about ecology and environmentalism, and she served on many boards and committees related to these topics.
How did she die?
Marilyn Stoneman Douglas was a trailblazing environmentalist who fought tirelessly for the protection of nature and the preservation of public lands. She was born in 1915 in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Parkland, Florida. Douglas attended the University of Florida where she earned her degree in biology. While at university, she became involved in student activism and began working to protect natural resources on campus.
Douglas continued her work as an environmental activist after graduating from college. In 1951, she founded The Bluestem Project, which aimed to protect federally-owned land in Illinois. The project proved to be a major success and Douglas was later appointed state director for conservation by then-Governor Adlai Stevenson II.
Douglas’s work as an environmental activist caught the attention of President John F. Kennedy who appointed her head of the National Park Service (NPS). During her time as head of the NPS, Douglas worked to create new national parks and preserve other public lands. She also played a pivotal role in establishing the National Wilderness Preservation System and helped develop legislation that created National Parks American Samoa and Alaska.
Douglas retired from the NPS in 1969 but continued to act as an advocate for nature conservation until her death in 1990. Her legacy lives on through her work with The Bluestem Project and other organizations she established during her career as an environmentalist
